College and Career Readiness Financial Aid Resources (Braided
Funding) and Ability to Benefit
9/22/2015
1
Presenters
Cassandra Atkinson, Transitions Coordinator, NCCCS
Wanda White, Director of Student Services, NCCCS
Karen Yerby, Associate Director, Student Placement and Assessment
Secondary
Agenda
Welcome and Introductions
Types of Braided Funding Resources and
Guide
--Golden Leaf Scholars Program
Ability to Benefit-Financial Aid
Questions/Discussion
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Objectives
Build partnerships between student support
and college and career readiness
Braided funding resource guide for basic
skills students
Update on ability to benefit - financial aid
eligibility
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Student Focused
Support
Financial Aid
Resources
Transition to Post
Secondary
Braided Funding
Funding necessary to support new and
innovative adult education programs
that are sourced from not one or two
major sources, but from multiple smaller
sources, each with specific goals,
target populations and performance
indicators.
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Importance of Braiding Funding
Use of multiple sources of funding to support and sustain integrated
career pathways.
Braided funding leverages federal, state, local, and private
resources.
Provides funding and resources for students: textbooks, equipment, examination registration fees, training opportunities not available
through Basic Skills or Basic Skills PLUS.
Provides opportunities for Basic Skills staff to develop an
understanding of the specific goals, target populations, and
performance indicators for multiple funding sources.
Provides opportunities to establish new partnerships and
renew existing partnerships that support student success.9/22/2015
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Getting Started
Challenge to Basic Skills: Offer braided funding
plans and maximize existing federal, state and
local resources to meet student needs.
Two Key Braided Funding Strategies:
Combine available funding streams.
Adopt complementary funding strategies
(local, regional, private, community-based
sources)
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Getting Started
Braided Funding Strategies:
1. Establish a Braided Funding Advisory Group
(Adult Basic Education, Student Services, Financial
Aid staff, and others).
2. Use Braided Funding Resource Guide and Worksheet
to plan funding sources for students.
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Braided Funding Practice-
Resource Guide
Possible Funding Sources
Workforce Investment Act Title I-Adults, Dislocated Workers and Youth
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training (SNAP E&T)
State and Federal Benefits for Service Officers, Veterans, and Their Survivors and Dependents
Workforce InnovationsOpportunity Act (July 1, 2015)
Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)
NC Benefit Bank
Wagner Peyser Act (Employment Services
TRIO Student Support Services
State Employees Credit Union
Perkins-Vocational Education Basic Grants to States
Vocational Rehabilitation State Grants
Golden Leaf Scholars Program
Temporary Assistance to Needy Families
Trade AdjustmentAssistance Community College Career Training (TAACCCT)
Scholarships from Local Employers
Project Skill-UP
Braided Funding Practice-
Vocational Rehabilitation
State Grants
a. Use the questions on Slide #10 to engage your team in a strategic
planning conversation around this funding stream.
b. Meet with and partner with Financial Aid staff at your college.
c. Use the Braded Funding Resource Guide to obtain information to obtain
information about Vocational Rehabilitation State Grants.
d. Meet with the Vocational Rehabilitation staff assigned to your region.
Developing a Braided Funding Plan for Each Student
1. Identify the students who are eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation Grants
to support their education and training program in Basic Skills.
2. Develop a braided funding strategy plan for each student that is eligible
for Vocational Rehabilitation State Grants.
3. What other funding sources are available for each students?
Braided Funding Practice
Guiding Questions and Steps Notes
1. Is your college serving students with documented disabilities in Basic Skills pathways?
2. Does your college have a strong working relationship with your local Vocational
Rehabilitation providers? Why or Why not?
3. Is there a strong referral process in place with your local Vocational Rehabilitation
providers?
4. Use your responses and notes to identify potential barriers and challenges to
successfully implementing and better utilizing this funding stream to support Basic Skills
programs and students
5. Develop a series of action steps for this funding stream for the next 12 months. Action
steps may include determining the number of Basic Skills students currently using
Vocational Rehabilitation services; making contact to your local Rehabilitation service to
discuss Basic Skills pathways; work with your local Vocational Rehabilitation service
providers to develop a standardized referral process for eligible students.
6. Needed Assistance: Describe any guidance or assistance needed from NC
Community Colleges System Office to better use this funding stream and implement your
next steps.9/22/2015
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9/22/2015
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oc
ati
on
al R
eh
ab
ilit
ati
on
Sta
te G
ran
ts
OVERVIEW: This program provides
grants to states to support a wide range
of services designed to help individuals
with disabilities prepare for and engage
in gainful employment consistent with
their strengths, resources, priorities,
concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests,
and informed choice.
ELIGIBILITY: To be eligible to receive
services, you must:
You must have a physical or
mental impairment or disability;
and
Your disability must result in a
substantial impediment to
employment; and
Your must require VR services to
prepare for, secure, retain or
regain employment.
Individuals who are eligible for
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or
Social Security Disability Income (SSDI)
are presumed to be eligible for VR
services.
It is possible that KRS will not have
sufficient resources to serve all eligible
persons who apply. If this situation
occurs, an order of selection procedure
will be used to determine priorities for
access to services.
All eligible clients will be assigned to one
of several service categories. The
highest priority categories will be for
persons with the most significant
disabilities, in compliance with federal
law.
For more information on eligibility, visit:
http://www.ncdhhs.gov/dvrs/
Relevant performance
indicators include:
Employment
outcomes. (A
designated state unit
must assist an eligible
individual, including
an individual with a
significant disability,
to obtain, maintain, or
regain high-quality
employment.
Equal access to
services. (A
designated state unit
must ensure that
individuals from
minority backgrounds
have equal access to
VR services.)
Services provided include:
Counseling and
guidance
Physical and mental
restoration services
Work skills training
and vocational
training
Job placement
services
Support employment
Determine whether
college have
relationships with local
Rehabilitation Services
offices and whether
Rehabilitation Services
recipients are referred
to AO programs for job
training and
development.
For colleges that do
not have relationship
with local Division of
Vocational
Rehabilitation Services
offices, suggest steps
for forging
relationships.
Federal site:
http://www2.ed.gov/progra
ms/rsabvrs/index.html
State site:
http://www.ncdhhs.gov/dvr
s/
FUNDING
SOURCE
SHORT DESCRIPTION ALIGNING PERFORMANCE
INDICATORS WITH Basic
Skills GOALS
USE OF FUNDS ACTION STEPS ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
Worksheet: Braided Funding Plan
for Each Student (Example)
Student Career Pathway
Educational Functional Level
Braided Funding Resources Available to
Student
Status of Student Access Available Resources
Barriers and Staff NotesAction Steps
Wonderful ONE
Landscape Adult Secondary Education Low
VR GrantSNAP E&TWorkforce Development TrainingBasic Skills PLUS Waiver
Ready To Go
Physical Therapy
ELA 6 ApprenticeshipGolden LeafScholarship
Next President
Medical Assisting
ABE Intermediate High
State Employees Credit Union Scholarship
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Golden Leaf Scholars
The Golden LEAF program provides a maximum of $750 per semester for curriculum students and $250 for continuing education students.
Continuing education students must be enrolled in a program of at least 96 hours that leads to a state or national credential to be eligible.
Students must be a permanent resident of a qualifying county and demonstrate financial need. Other selection factors for applicants include financial need, the effect of the declining economy on his/her family, academic performance, community service, and campus involvement.
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Ability to Benefit-Financial Aid
Dear Colleague Letter
Unchanged Student Eligibility Provisions
Statutory Changes to Ability to Benefit
Eligible Career Pathways Defined
--Adult Education Connection Courses
--Title IV Eligible Academic Programs
Developing Frequently Asked Questions
Questions and Answers
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Dear Colleague Letter
Publication Date: May 22, 2015 = DCL ID: GEN-15-09
Focus – Title IV Eligibility for Students Without Valid High
School Diploma-enrolled in eligible Career Pathway
NEW LAW (Changed 484(d) of Higher Education Act of
1965)
Allows students without high school diploma or the
recognized equivalent to be eligible for Title IV HEA
student assistance
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UNCHANGED STUDENT ELIGIBILITY
Public Law 112 - 235 – No Changes
Allows otherwise eligible students to receive TITLE IV aid if they
meet one of the following condition:
1. Student has a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent to
a high school diploma
2. State certificate or transcript received by a student after the
student passed a state-authorized examination
3. Academic transcript showing completion of a two-year program
acceptable for full credit toward bachelors degree
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UNCHANGED STUDENT ELIGIBILITY
State –Authorized Exams
General Education Development Certificate (GED)
High School Equivalency Test (HiSET)
Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC)
The California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE)
Other State Authorized Examinations 9/22/2015
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UNCHANGED STUDENT ELIGIBILITY
Homeschool
Students who completed secondary education in homeschool setting
Treated as a homeschool or private school under the state law.
Student has a homeschool completion credential.
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Statutory Changes
PUB. L. 113 – 235
Students who are enrolled in an eligible career pathway program who
are not high school graduates or do not meet one of the other eligibility
conditions discussed:
May be eligible for to receive Title IV Aid, and
Must meet one of the following alternatives:
Pass an independently administered Department of Education
(DOE) approved Ability to Benefit (ATB) Test.
Completes at least 6 credit hours or 225 clock hours applicable
toward degree or certificate offered by the college.
Completes a State process approved by the DOE Secretary.
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Ability to Benefit Tests (ATB)
Test Publisher Name Test Name
ACT Inc.ASSET, COMPASS, and COMPASS ESL
Association of Classroom
Teacher Testers (ACTT)
Combined English Skills Assessment
(CELSA)
The College Board ACCUPLACER
Wonderlic Inc.Wonderlic Basic Skills Test
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Other Eligible Students
Without a Valid High School Diploma
Grandfathered Students - Students enrolled prior to July 1, 2012
Students without a high school diploma or its recognized
equivalent.
Students who did not complete a secondary school
education in a homeschool setting, and was enrolled in an
eligible program at Title IV institutions.
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Eligible Career Pathways
Definition
Career pathways refer to a combination of rigorous and high-quality education, training, and support services that are aligned with the skill needs of industries in State or regional economies, preparing individuals to be successful in secondary or postsecondary education programs and the labor market.
To become eligible for Title IV aid using one of the Ability To Benefit (ATB) alternatives.
Any institution, whether public, nonprofit, or for-profit, may offer an eligible career pathway program.
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Eligible Career Pathways
Concurrently enroll students in connected adult education and eligible
postsecondary programs;
Provide students with counseling and supportive services to identify and
attain academic and career goals;
Provide structured course sequences that are articulated and
contextualized; and allow students to advance to higher levels of education and employment;
Provide opportunities for acceleration to obtain recognized
postsecondary credentials;
Be organized to meet the needs of adults;
Be aligned with education and skills needs of the regional economy; and
Developed and implemented in collaboration with business, workforce
and economic development partners. 9/22/2015
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Eligible Career Pathways
Eligible pathways contain two components: both adult education connection courses and a Title IV eligible program
1. Adult Education Component
(academic instruction and education services below the postsecondary level that lead to high school diploma or its recognized equivalent, transition to postsecondary education and training, and obtain employment).
2. Title IV Eligible Academic Programs
(certificate {depending on length of the program and number of hours}, diploma, and associate degree).
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Financial Aid Available
On, or after July 1, 2014
Federal Pell Grant
Supplemental Education Opportunity
Grant (SEOG)
Federal College Work Study
Federal Student Loan
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Limited and
Regular Pell Grant
Enrolled Before July 1, 2015 (Regular Pell Grant)
Ability to Benefit-eligible career pathway programs
Students will be eligible for limited Pell Grant Awards under career pathway alternative schedule
Maximum award for (2015-16) is $5575.
Enrolled On or after July 1, 2015 (Limited Pell Grant)
Ability to Benefit-eligible career pathway programs
Students will be eligible for limited Pell Grant Awards under career pathway alternative schedule
Maximum award for (2015-16) is $4860. 9/22/2015
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Resources
Braided Funding
Braided Funding Resource Guide
Braided Funding Plan for Students
Ability to Benefit-Financial Aid
Dear Colleague Letter
DCL ID:GEN-15-09
9/22/2015
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Frequently Asked Questions
Developing Frequently Asked Questions
College and Career Readiness Financial Aid Resources (Braided Funding) & Ability to Benefit
Send Questions no later than August 20, 2015 to:
Subject: Ability to Benefit Questions
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Contacts
Basic Skills staff should contact the Basic Skills Director or Coordinator or the Financial Aid Administrator at your college for specific questions.
Cassandra Atkinson, Transitions Coordinator
[email protected] 919-807-7144
Wanda White, Director of Student Services
[email protected] 919-807-7104
Karen Yerby, Associate Director of Student Life
[email protected] 919-807-71079/22/2015
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